According to Variety, the movie will be based on the memoir of Roy Rowan. Rowan was a member of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration during the Chinese Civil War in the 1940's. The Book "Chasing the Dragon: A Veteran Journalists Firsthand Account of the 1949 Chinese Revolution" is the memoir previously mentioned.
Universal has bought the movie thanks to a pitch from writers Jon Marans and Yuri Sivo. In all seriosness, it will be interesting to hear what was going on from someone that was actually there. I am sure that De Nero will bring his phenominal acting talent to make this a history lesson everyone will be interested in learning.